Alicia Keys performing during Clive Davis' pre-Grammy Gala

Fifteen-time Grammy Award winnerAlicia Keyswas among the selected list of performers during the hottest ticket in town recently - Clive Davis' pre-Grammy Gala on January 27, held at the Sheraton in Times Square, New York.

It's the first time in 15 years that the annual event, which is now in its 42nd year, was held in the Big Apple. The night is a Grammy salute to industry icons, hosted by music titan, Davis, who is also a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member and the current CCO of Sony Music. This year the pre-Grammy Gala honoree was rap legend, Jay-Z.

Paying homage to her friend JAY-Z, Keys, who grew up in New York, performed a piano-driven medley of songs spanning his career, including the pair’s hit single, “Empire State of Mind,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 2009.

Keys said: “Before anything else I was a true fan of your music, Jay, and still am.

“I walked down the streets with my headphones on and my Tims and baggy jeans, and yours [music] was my soundtrack."

Among the other attendees on the night were Barry Manilow, Gladys Knight, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Luis Fonsi, Migos, Khalid, Logic, Katie Couric and Camila Cabello.